<\/p>\n
Zerohash is seeking fresh capital at a valuation above $1.5 billion after Mastercard dropped investment plans following its BVNK acquisition.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Zerohash is pursuing a new funding round at a valuation above the $1.5 billion level discussed earlier this year. CoinDesk reported<\/a> that the talks followed Mastercard\u2019s decision to walk away from a possible investment after choosing another stablecoin infrastructure deal.<\/p>\n The report said Mastercard had earlier weighed a strategic investment in the Chicago-based company. A Zerohash spokesperson told CoinDesk the company \u201cdoesn\u2019t comment on fundraising conversations.\u201d Mastercard did not respond before publication, according to the same report.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Mastercard agreed in March to acquire<\/a> BVNK, a stablecoin infrastructure company, for up to $1.8 billion, including $300 million in contingent payments. The company said the deal would connect on-chain payments with fiat rails.<\/p>\n Reuters reported<\/a> that BVNK helps bridge fiat and stablecoins across major blockchain networks and more than 130 countries. Mastercard Chief Product Officer Jorn Lambert said buying BVNK would help the company \u201cget to market much faster.\u201d<\/p>\n Moreover, related coverage previously reported that Mastercard was in advanced talks to acquire Zerohash in a deal valued between $1.5 billion and $2 billion. That report described the possible deal as one of Mastercard\u2019s largest stablecoin moves.<\/p>\n The same coverage said Zerohash provides crypto and stablecoin infrastructure through APIs for banks, brokerages, and fintechs. It also noted that Zerohash powers tokenized fund projects linked to BlackRock, Franklin Templeton, and Hamilton Lane.<\/p>\n\n
Mastercard shifts focus to BVNK<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Zerohash builds on $104m round<\/strong><\/h2>\n